Part-timers Danica Patrick, Helio Castroneves earn full attention at Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS — Part-time drivers and one-off rides are usually afterthoughts at the Indianapolis 500, where the sport’s brightest stars tend to shine in the hot sun on the final Sunday of May.

This year, the part-time driver is Helio Castroneves.

And the one-off is Danica Patrick.

Throw in a deep, four-car stable from newly minted NASCAR Hall of Fame owner Roger Penske and a big name (James Hinchcliffe) sitting out the race, and the 102nd edition of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has every expectation of living up to its nickname.

Everyone knows Patrick can win her finale — she has a good car — but not many believe she actually will pull off the feat.